Neural tube defects as a cause of death among stillbirths, infants, and children younger than 5 years in sub-Saharan Africa and southeast Asia: an analysis of the CHAMPS network
Authors: Lola Madrid, Kartavya J Vyas, Vijaya Kancherla, Haleluya Leulseged, Parminder S Suchdev, Quique Bassat, Samba O Sow, Shams El Arifeen, Shabir A Madhi, Dickens Onyango, Ikechukwu Ogbuanu, J Anthony G Scott, Dianna Blau, Inacio Mandomando, Adama M Keita, Emily S Gurley, Sana Mahtab, Victor Akelo, Sulaiman Sannoh, Yenenesh Tilahun, Rosauro Varo, Uma Onwuchekwa, Afruna Rahman, Yasmin Adam, Richard Omore, Sandra Lako, Elisio Xerinda, Kazi Munisul Islam, Amy Wise, Beth A Tippet-Barr, Erick Kaluma, Sara Ajanovic, Karen L Kotloff, Mohammad Zahid Hossain, Portia Mutevedzi, Milagritos D Tapia, Emily Rogena, Francis Moses, Cynthia G Whitney, Nega Assefa, A.S.M. Nawshad Uddin Ahmed, Mahbubul Hoque, Mohammed Kamal, Mohammad Mosiur, Ferdousi Begum, Saria Tasnim, Meerjady Sabrina Flora, Farida Arjuman, Iqbal Ansary Khan, Tahmina Shirin, Mahbubur Rahman, Sanwarul Bari, Shahana Parveen, Farzana Islam, Mohammad Zahid Hossain, Kazi Munisul Islam, Mohammad Sabbir Ahmed, K Zaman, Mustafizur Rahman, Dilruba Ahmed, Md Atique Iqbal Chowdhury, Muntasir Alam, Kyu Han Lee, Ferdousi Islam, Joseph O Oundo, Fikremelekot Temesgen, Melisachew Mulatu Yeshi, Alexander M Ibrahim, Tadesse Gure, Yunus Edris, Addisu Alemu, Dadi Marami, Ephrem Lemma, Ayantu Mekonnen, Henok Wale, Tseyon Tesfaye, Haleluya Leulseged, Tadesse Dufera, Anteneh Belachew, Fentabil Getnet, Surafel Fentaw, Yenework Acham, Stian MS Orlien, Mahlet Abayneh Gizaw, Emily Rogena, Florence Murila, Gunturu Revathi, Paul K Mitei, Magdalene Kuria, Jennifer R Verani, Aggrey Igunza, Peter Nyamthimba, Elizabeth Oele, Karen D Fairchild, Carol L Greene, Rima Koka, Ashka Mehta, Sharon M Tennant, J Kristie Johnson, Tatiana Keita, Adama Mamby Keita, Nana Kourouma, Uma U Onwuchekwa, Awa Traore, Doh Sanogo, Diakaridia Sidibe, Seydou Sissoko, Diakaridia Kone, Milton Kindcardett, Khátia Munguambe, Ariel Nhacolo, Tacilta Nhampossa, Pio Vitorino, Elisio Xerinda, Justina Bramugy, Celso Monjane, Sheila Nhachungue, Juan Carlos Hurtado, Maria Maixenchs, Clara Menéndez, Jaume Ordi, Natalia Rakislova, Marta Valente, Zara Manhique, Dercio Chitungo, Sibone Mocumbi, Carla Carrilho, Fabiola Fernandes, Rebecca Pass Philipsborn, Jeffrey P Koplan, Mischka Garel, Betsy Dewey, Shailesh Nair, Navit T Salzberg, Lucy Liu, Rebecca Alkis-Ramirez, Jana M Ritter, Sherif R Zaki, Joy Gary, Jonas M Winchell, Jacob Witherbee, Jessica L Waller, Ruby Fayorsey, Ronita Luke, Ima-Abasi Bassey, Dickens Kowuor, Foday Sesay, Baindu Kosia, Samuel Pratt, Carrie-Jo Cain, Solomon Samura, Fatima Solomon, Ashleigh Fritz, Noluthando Dludlu, Constance Ntuli, Richard Chawana, Karen Petersen, Sanjay G Lala, Sithembiso Velaphi, Jeannette Wadula, Martin Hale, Peter J Swart, Hennie Lombaard, Rahima Moosa, Gillian Sorour
Journal: The Lancet Global Health (2023)

Neural tube defects are common birth defects resulting in severe morbidity and mortality; they can largely be prevented with periconceptional maternal intake of folic acid. Understanding the occurrence of neural tube defects and their contribution to mortality in settings where their burden is highest could inform prevention and health-care policy. We aimed to estimate the mortality attributed to neural tube defects in seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa and southeast Asia.